At a Glance – Sunday, December 10, 2017

Second Sunday of Advent

Finance updateSt. Andrew’s operating deficit to the end of October, 2017 is -$11,132. Our projected operating budget for the same period is -$15,666, a difference of $4,534. We look forward to the generosity of our parishioners to help reduce the deficit by year end.

Decorating the Church for ChristmasAfter the 10:30 am service on December 17th we will be adding decoration to our Advent greenery in anticipation of Jesus’ birth. Plan to grab a coffee and join in!

Church Calendars are here!Feedback from last year’s major re-design has been incorporated into the 2018 calendars available now! Cost remains $5.00. Please see or contact Pat Kover or Adeline Ridley to buy yours today!

Compost Collection at St. Andrew’sBeginning this week, St. Andrew’s has begun collecting compostable materials in the downstairs and upstairs kitchens. The program will help us keep food and yard waste out of the landfill. It also complies with The City of Calgary’s Waste & Recycling Bylaw that requires onsite diversion of food and yard waste at all businesses and organizations. There are posters in the kitchens describing how to sort the various types of trash we produce on Sundays and throughout the week. Thanks for your help keeping St. Andrew’s clean!

Calgary Drop In Centre Christmas GiftIn the past ten years, St. Andrew’s generosity to the DI Kitchen has resulted in a grand total of 3103 lbs of food being donated at Christmas time. Again this year, Chef Cindy is asking for ground coffee as the item on their wish list. The DI serves coffee and a snack twice a day as well as preparing the 3 daily meals, so there is always a great need for a hot cup of coffee. On behalf of the DI Lunch Bunch, I again invite you to contribute a donation of ground coffee (no decaf or beans please) if you are able, or Carole Thomson will be happy to shop for you if you would like to make a cash donation. The collection basket for the coffee will be in the Narthex as of November 17th. Blessings and thank you from the DI staff and clients…and from the “St. Andrew’s Lunch Bunch” who so faithfully serve there throughout the year. Carole T.

Women’s Group UpdateRosemary Christmas has retired as our kitchen supply coordinator. She has looked after our kitchen supplies for many years and we thank her very much for her dedication to this task. What would we do if we ran out of coffee or tea on Sunday morning? We don’t want to think of that possibility so would like a volunteer (or possibly a couple) to take over monitoring and purchasing kitchen supplies. All expenses are reimbursed from the coffee donations. Please speak to Mary Ellen 403-816-6914 or e-mail wells.game@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer.

Out on the Town – 4th Tuesday of most months at 6:30 pm.If you would like to be on the e-mail list for this social dinner group please contact Ginny at ginnyabetty@hotmail.com.

Christmas services will be as follows:Advent 4, Sunday, December 24:
8:00am service with baptism.There will be NO 10:30am service.Christmas Eve, Sunday December 24:
4:00pm Children’s service with Eucharist
7:00pm Festive Eucharist
Christmas Day, Monday December 25:
10:30am Simple service of Holy Communion

New Parish Council MembersNew Parish council members are needed! If you’re interested in being involved in parish governance for a two (2) year term and/or you know someone who would be great, please speak with one of the Wardens or with Christine.

Annual Reports for 2017 are DUETues. January 16 th ! Please submit the report for which you are responsible to Kate at standrw1@telus.net

2017 Tax Receipts Please not that, to be eligible for a 2107 tax credit, donations must be received by December 31, 2017. They must be hand-delivered to the office or post-marked no later than December 31, 2017. Many thanks!

60th Anniversary PlanningThe proposed committee structure for our upcoming 60th anniversary next year is shown below. For your information, Church construction started on Sep 22nd, 1958 (costs for the church back then were $42,800) and the first service held on Dec 24th, 1958 with 140 persons in attendance. Church services were held prior to church completion in the Chief Crowfoot School Auditorium and at Parkdale Community Hall. So we have a lot of history to celebrate and a wonderful future to plan for!
If you are interested in helping this committee, please contact Dave Thomson or Wendy Taylor to sign up.
Committee- Chair: Dave Thomson 403-241-7990
Assistant: Wendy Taylor 403-286-3083
Groups-60th Anniversary Church Services (Date, Type)Celebration Planning (Party, Remembrances)Physical Memories (front bench, bike rack, little library, etc)History and Founders (Information for book or website)New Parishioner Inputs (Feedback for book or website)OutreachChurch Groups: Choir, Women’s Auxiliary, Altar Guild, Sunday School/Children and Youth, Church Maintenance/Improvements

Communion BreadWould you like to make bread to use for communion? Just let Christine know. You can use any recipe you like, though please try to avoid anything too ‘crumbly.’ See the adult education section of the website for one simple recipe!

Calling all Quilters and Crafters!We are looking for people to create some biblically-based “baby banners” for babies and toddlers in our midst to play on/with in church. Talk to Christine or Kara for more information.